Removable wall assembly

ABSTRACT

A modular wall panel to extend between a floor and ceiling has top and bottom horizontal main runners between two vertical beams, each beam having a foot which rests on the floor, the foot being adjustable to adjust the panel height. A first pair of opposing spaced panels extend between the two vertical beams and have lower edges that rest on the bottom main runner and a lower mid-height runner is mounted on the upper edges of the first panel pair to support a horizontal I-beam extending between the vertical beams. An upper mid-height runner is supported on the upper edge of the I-beam and there are a second pair of spaced opposing panels having their lower edges mounted on the upper mid-height runner supported on the I-beam and their upper edges are held by the main runner. A cover member is provided to cover each face of the I-beam. There can be one or more additional pairs of mid-level runners between the I-beam and the upper main runner to support one or more further pairs of spaced opposing panels and insulation can be placed in the space between each of the panels of a pair.

RELATED APPLICATION

This application is based on Provisional Application 60/022,400 filed onJul. 30, 1996 and claims the benefit of domestic priority thereof.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a removable wall assembly. More particularly,the invention relates to such a removable wall assembly where theassembled product is equivalent to a standard wall, but which has theadvantage of being easily removable and which integrates horizontal andvertical dispatching of utility services such as electricity, telephoneservices and computer communication services.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

When separating a large room in order to delineate offices or officespace, two traditional approaches exist: permanently building walls orusing divider panels.

Permanent walls require a rigid frame structure upon which panels arefastened and through which various utility services are integrated. Thishas two major disadvantages, the first being that should areorganization of the space be required, it is necessary to tear downthe existing structure at great cost, and rebuild according to the newspecifications; and the second being that once the utility services areinstalled, it is almost impossible to relocate them without tearing downa portion of a wall, which requires expense and inconvenience (i.e.rebuilding, repainting, etc.) The advantage of building a permanent wallstructure is that it provides great soundproofing and that is has animproved aesthetic quality.

Divider panels, or acoustic panels, are well known in the field, andcome in various designs, shapes, etc. Some of the panels may extend fromfloor to ceiling, but most are of a standard height of approximatelyseven feet, or a little over two meters. Most of these assemblies arenot aesthetically pleasing, do not provide for adequate privacy, andsome, if not most, are relatively complicated to assemble and requirespecific components. Their advantage is that, more recently, most are"pre-wired" for utility services, rendering such services easilyaccessible. Another advantage is that they are modular. and usually canbe reorganized with a minimum of inconvenience and cost.

It is thus an object of the present invention to provide a removablewall assembly which combines the soundproofing qualities of a permanentwall and the modularity and ease of installation of divider panels.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the invention, this object is achieved with a modularwall assembly for mounting between a ceiling and a floor. The modularwall assembly includes an elongated top runner having a longitudinalaxis, two opposite sides, a top surface, a bottom surface and agenerally inverted U-shaped cross-section. The top runner has a grooveparallel to the longitudinal axis on each opposite side opening towardsthe floor and is compatible with the ceiling for attachment thereto.

The modular wall assembly also includes at least two vertical beams eachhaving an adjustable foot at the bottom thereof, each of the verticalbeams having a plurality of longitudinal partitions for verticaldispatching of utility services. Each of the vertical beams has a lengthcorresponding generally to the height of the ceiling and each isprovided with support means extending parallel to the longitudinal axisof the top runner at the bottom of the vertical beams.

Each of the vertical beams further includes means for extending each ofthe adjustable foot to account for variations in the height of theceiling.

A bottom runner having two opposite sides, two opposite ends, a topsurface, a bottom surface, a generally U-shaped cross-section and agroove parallel to the longitudinal axis of the top runner on eachopposite side defining an opening on the top surface thereof is insertedbetween two adjacent vertical beams. Each end of the bottom runner restson a corresponding one of the support means.

A first pair of panels having a horizontal longitudinal axis, has abottom longitudinal edge resting in one of the grooves of the bottomrunner and a top longitudinal edge.

Lower and upper mid-height runners are also provided, the mid-heightrunners being mirror images of each other along a longitudinal axis, andbeing in the same shape and form as the bottom runner. The mid-heightrunners are vertically separated by a generally I-shaped beam definingan opening therebetween on each opposite side of the wall assembly andare inserted between two adjacent vertical beams. The lower mid-heightrunner has a groove on each opposite side opening towards the floor andadapted to receive the top edge of the corresponding panel of the firstpair of panels.

A second pair of panels having a horizontal longitudinal axis, has abottom longitudinal edge resting in a respective one of the grooves ofthe upper mid-height runner, and a top longitudinal edge inserted in arespective one of the grooves of the top runner.

At least one modular panel removably covers the opening defined by theI-shaped beams on each opposite side, for horizontally dispatching theutility services.

It is to be stressed that the wall assembly of the invention combinesthe modularity of acoustical panels with the finished look and strengthof a traditional permanent wall, including adequate soundproofing.

Further, the present invention requires minimal mechanical fasteners,which makes assembling and disassembling of the wall assembly easy andrapid, as will be hereinafter detailed.

As well, the present invention allows for vertical and horizontaldispatching of utility services. Preferably, the horizontal dispatchingis at a height of approximately 30" from the floor, and can also bedispatched at a height closer to the ceiling i.e. approximately 7' fromthe floor, for feeding spotlights, for example. Additionally, theutility services are pre-wired into the removable wall assembly, as willhereinafter explained.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention and its advantages will be more easily understoodafter reading the following non-restrictive description of preferredembodiments thereof, made with reference to the following drawings inwhich:

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a wall assembly according to thepresent invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II--II of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III--III of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 s a cross-sectional view taken along line IV--IV of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a detailed view of the cut-out portion shown at the bottom ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 6a is another front elevational view of a wall assembly accordingto the present invention Sowing attachment to an existing permanentwall;

FIG. 6b is a perspective view of the means used to support the bottomrunner when attached to an existing permanent wall;

FIG. 7 is across-sectional view taken along line VII--VII of FIG. 6a;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VIII--VIII of FIG. 6a;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a portion of a vertical post;

FIG. 10 is a lateral view of a vertical post;

FIG. 11 is a sectional view of half of a vertical post;

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of a top runner according to theinvention;

FIG. 13 is a top plan view of the top runner of FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of a bottom runner according to thepresent invention;

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of half of an I-beam according to theinvention;

FIG. 16a is a perspective view of an adjustable foot;

FIG. 16b is a top plan view of the adjustable foot of FIG. 16a;

FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional elevation view of the adjustable foot ofFIGS. 16a and 16b;

FIGS. 18a, 18b, 18c are detailed views of the support means of thevertical beam;

FIG. 19 is a schematic representation of the vertical dispatching ofutility services in a vertical post;

FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view of a vertical post showing theseparation between each of the utility services;

FIG. 21 is a top view of a wall-wall 90° junction;

FIG. 22 is a top view of a wall-door 90° junction;

FIG. 23 is a top view of a wall-wall 45° junction;

FIG. 24 is a front view of a modular panel, including pre-wired utilityservices;

FIG. 25 .is a side view of the modular panel of FIG. 24;

FIG. 26 is a front view of a cover panel without pre-wired utilityservices; and

FIG. 27 is an exploded view of a partly assembled wall assemblyaccording to the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown a plurality of removable wallassemblies for mounting between a ceiling 20 and a floor 30 according tothe present invention, incorporating a door 200, a window 205 andvertical and horizontal dispatching of utility services.

Such a wall assembly is erected by fastening to the ceiling 20 a toprunner 40 as shown on FIGS. 3 and 4. It should be understood that whenreference herein is made to "ceiling", it includes not only the "false"ceiling present in many offices, usually made of acoustical panelssupported by a frame, but also the "true" ceiling, usually made ofconcrete.

The top runner 40 is better shown on FIGS. 12 and 13 and has alongitudinal axis 41, two opposite sides 43, a top surface 45, a bottomsurface 47 and a generally inverted U-shape. The top runner 40 has agroove 49 parallel to the longitudinal axis 41 on each opposite side 43that opens towards the floor 30. It should be noted that the top runner40 may also include a plurality of openings 42, as shown on FIG. 13.

The top runner 40 is fastened to the ceiling either by means 50 ofmechanical fasteners such as screws 51 (FIG. 3) for attachment directlyto the ceiling or a wire 52 (FIG. 4). It should be noted that any othermeans 50 for fastening the top runner 40 is acceptable, as long as thereis sufficient lateral stability. It will be understood from thefollowing description that the top runner 49 is the only component whichreceives mechanical fasteners 50 for stabilizing the assembly 10, andthat the means 50 for fastening the top runner 40 only serve to retainthe top runner 40 in position, not to laterally or longitudinallystabilize the entire structure. Furthermore, the fastening of the toprunner 40 permits easy alignment of the complete structure sinceceilings 20 are usually straighter than floors 30. It should be apparentto a person skilled in the art that a thin layer of insulator 55 may beinstalled between the ceiling 20 and the top surface 45 of the toprunner 40 as shown on FIG. 3.

Once the top runner 40 is installed, a plurality of vertical beams 60are placed at equal intervals, preferably 4' from each other. Thevertical beams 60, shown on FIGS. 6a, 7, 9, 10, 11 and 19 have a ceilingend 61, a floor end 62 and a length generally corresponding to theheight of a ceiling 20 (usually approximately 9'). The top runner 40includes means for retaining in position the ceiling end 61 of thevertical beams 60. To that effect, the ceiling end 61 is preferablyadapted to be inserted into the inverted U-shape of the top runner 40 onthe bottom surface 47, as shown on FIG. 7. This provides for lateralstability of the vertical beams 60.

The vertical beams 60 have a plurality of longitudinal partitions 63 forvertical dispatching of utility services. Preferably, the vertical beams60 have the profile shown on FIG. 9 and can be made of two identicalpieces of metal having the individual profile of FIG. 11 or from asingle piece of metal. As such, the profile automatically delineates aplurality of longitudinal partitions 63. In the case of FIG. 9, it canbe seen that the partitions 63 on the outside of the beam 60 are used tocarry electrical services, whereas the center partitions 63 are used tocarry the other services, such as telecommunications, cable, security,fiber optics, etc.

Preferably, the vertical beams 60 are provided with standard electricaloutlets 200 at a distance of approximately 30" from the floor end 62 ofthe vertical beams 60, as better shown on FIGS. 9 and 10, where thepartitions 63 closer to each opposite side of the wall assemblyaccording to the invention carry the electrical wires necessary to feedthe electrical outlets 220. The center partition 63 thus carries thenon-electrical utilities such as television cable, telephone,communications, etc. It is thus to be noted that on either the right orthe left of the vertical beam 60 when looking at FIG. 10, all of theutility services are easily accessible. If the vertical beams 60 areprovided with standard electrical outlets 220, they are preferablyencased in a junction box 201 (see FIG. 19) for increased safety.However, it is not necessary for the purposes of the invention that anyof the electrical utilities be so protected, as long as the verticalbeams 60 have partitions that vertically dispatch the utilities.

However, in the matter of a preferred embodiment, the utilities may beaccessible as shown on FIG. 19, which shows a partial section of avertical beam 60. In this case, the non-electrical utilities are placedabove and below the electricity, and each is terminated by theappropriate socket 220, 230 fastened to the vertical beam 60 in order toincrease the modularity of the assembly. FIG. 20 shows a top plan viewof a vertical beam 60 including sockets 220, 230 for each of theutilities.

As also shown on FIG. 10, the vertical beam 60 may also be provided withstandard electrical outlets 220 at a distance of approximately 2' fromthe ceiling end 61 of the vertical beam 60.

The vertical beams 60 are also provided with support means 70 extendingparallel to the longitudinal axis 41 of the top runner 40 at the floorend 62. The vertical beams 60 are each further provided with anadjustable foot 80 to account for small variations in the height of theceiling 20, where the adjustable foot 80 is longitudinally extendable.

Preferably, the support means 70 are incorporated to the adjustable foot80, as better shown on FIGS. 16a, 16b and 17. The adjustable foot 80comprises two generally rectangular, hollow pieces 81 and a supportmember 83 inserted therebetween, the support member 83 having agenerally rectangular top surface, along the long axis of therectangular top surface. Each of the pieces 81 is provided with alongitudinal groove 85, preferably having a length of approximately 3".A nut 86 and screw 87 assembly secures each of the pieces 81 and thesupport member 83 together, as shown on FIG. 16b. A bottom plate 88 isfurther fastened to the bottom of the pieces 81, as better shown onFIGS. 16a and 16b, preferably by soldering. The assembled support foot80 is adapted to be slidably inserted into the vertical beam 60 at thefloor end 62 thereof Thus, the ceiling end 61 of the vertical beam 60 isinserted into the top runner 40 and the adjustable foot 80 can beextended at the required distance so that the bottom plate 88 rests onthe floor 30 (see FIG. 5). The support member 83 is then adjusted sothat it is flush with the floor end 62 of the vertical beams 60 andtherefore each of the support members 83 is located at the same distancefrom the ceiling 20 towards the floor 30 and the adjustable foot 80allows for variations in the height of the ceiling 20 to the floor 30,and all of the support members 83 are in horizontal alignment with eachother.

Preferably, the bottom plate 88 is further provided with a combstructure 89 as shown on FIGS. 5 and 16a, which comb structure 89 isadapted to be placed on a carpet in order to avoid flattening the carpetand to laterally secure the assembly.

The support member 83 has a generally inverted U-shape and has arectangular top surface, as previously mentioned and shown on FIG. 18a.The support member 83 can also be provided with an additional supportplate 75 as shown on FIGS. 16b and 27, which forms part of the supportmeans 70 and increases the surface area that supports the assembly, aswill be better understood hereinafter.

A bottom runner 90 having two opposite sides 91, two opposite ends 92, atop surface 93, a bottom surface 94, a generally U-shaped cross-section,a groove 95 parallel to the longitudinal axis of the top runner 40 oneach opposite side 91 defining an opening towards the ceiling 20 andhaving a length corresponding to the distance between two adjacentvertical beams 60, preferably 4', is inserted between two adjacentvertical beams 60. Each opposite end 92 of the bottom runner 90 rests ona corresponding one of the support members 83 of the vertical beams 60as better shown on FIG. 5. In order to increase the surface area whichsupports the structure, the support members 83 of the vertical beams 60may further be provided with a support plate 75, having a centralportion similar in shape and size to the top surface of the supportmember 83, and a longitudinal extension on each opposite end, which hasa width that is larger than the width of the support member 83, asbetter shown on FIG. 16b.

A first pair of panels 100 having a horizontal longitudinal axis, abottom 101 and top 103 longitudinal edges are secured on each side ofthe wall assembly by having their respective bottom longitudinal edge101 resting in one of the grooves 95 of the bottom runner 90, as bettershown on FIG. 2. Between each panel 100 of the first pair of panels,insulating means 115 are inserted to provide for adequate acousticinsulation. Preferably, the panels 100 have a width of approximately30", so that the top longitudinal edge 103 thereof is approximately at adistance of 30" from the floor 30.

The removable wall assembly 10 according to the invention also includeslower 110 and upper 120 mid-height runners being mirror images of eachother along a longitudinal axis and being in the same shape and form asthe bottom runner 90. The lower 110 and upper 120 mid-height runners areinserted between two adjacent vertical beams 60. The mid-height runners110, 120 are vertically separated by a generally I-shaped beam 130defining an opening 131 therebetween on each opposite side of the wallassembly 10. The lower mid-height runner 10 has a groove 111 on eachopposite side opening towards the floor 30 adapted to receive the toplongitudinal edge 103 of the corresponding panel of the first pair ofpanels 100. The upper mid-height runner 120 also has a groove 121 oneach opposite side opening towards the ceiling 20.

The generally I-shaped beam 130, shown on FIGS. 2 and 15, is preferablymade of two generally U-shaped pieces 132 fastened back to back. FIG. 15shows half of an I-shaped beam 130. In order to provide for adequatesoundproofing, a thin sheet of insulating resin (not shown) ispreferably fastened to the back of each of the U-shaped pieces 132.

Further, each of the U-shaped pieces 132 is provided with twolongitudinal flanges 133 defining three channels 135, which can beoriented slightly upwardly. These channels 135 serve to separate theelectrical utilities from the non-electrical utilities. Thus, as shownon FIG. 19, the middle channel 135 is used for electrical utilities,whereas the top and bottom channels 135 are used for non-electricalutilities.

A second pair of panels 140, having a longitudinal axis, have a bottomlongitudinal edge 141 resting in a respective one of the grooves 121 ofthe upper mid-height runner 120. The second pair of panels 140 also hasa top longitudinal edge 143 inserted in a respective one of the grooves49 of the top runner 40. This of course is in the case where the secondpair of panels 140 has a sufficient width to cover the span between theupper mid-height runner 120 and the top runner 40. As before, betweeneach panel of the second pair of panels 140, insulating means 115 areinserted to provide for adequate acoustic insulation.

Alternatively, in the case where the second pair of panels 140 does nothave such a width, the top longitudinal edge 143 of the second pair ofpanels 140 can be inserted into a groove 151 of a horizontal runner 150having the same shape and size as the bottom runner 90 or the mid-heightrunners 110, 120, as shown on FIG. 3. A rectangular tube 155 is insertedover the horizontal runner 150 and has a pair of parallel, downwardlyprojecting flanges 157 to retain the rectangular tube 155 in positionover the horizontal runner 150 and an opening 159 at the bottom thereofA third pair of panels 160, having a longitudinal axis, have a bottomlongitudinal edge 161 resting on top of the horizontal runner 150 oneach opposite side and a top longitudinal edge 163 inserted in arespective one of the grooves 49 of the top runner 40. The third pair ofpanels 160 are held in position by means of an L-shaped bracket 165placed at regular intervals. When putting the finishing touches to thewall, a finish moulding 169 shown on FIG. 3 will hide the joint betweenthe two rows of panels 140, 160. As before, between each panel of thethird pair of panels 160, insulating means 115 are inserted to providefor adequate acoustic insulation. It can thus be seen that the modularwall assembly of the present invention can be extended to the "false"ceiling, or to the "true" ceiling with a minimum of inconvenience.

As can be seen from FIG. 3, the juxtaposition of the horizontal runner150 and the rectangular tube 155 create a longitudinal opening atapproximately a distance of 7' from the floor, through which, forexample, electrical utilities 300 may be vertically dispatched in orderto feed spotlights, as better shown on FIG. 1.

A pair of modular panels 170, illustrated on FIGS. 24, 25 and 26removably cover the opening 131 defined by the I-shaped beam 130 on eachopposite side of the wall assembly 10 for horizontally dispatching theutility services. Such a panel is shown on FIG. 24, where the panel ispreferably pre-fitted with standard electrical 220, cable 230, telephone210 or other sockets. Each of these sockets is operatively connected tothe respective feeder cable for the appropriate utility, preferablythrough the use of sockets 220, 210, 230 fastened to the vertical beams,as shown on FIG. 19. It is important for the purposes of the inventionthat at least one modular panel 170 be pre-wired with at least onesocket.

However, it can also be desired to simply have a plain moulding coveringthe opening 131 defined by the I-shaped beam 130. In such a case, astandard modular panel 171 with no utility sockets can be used.

Preferably, the panels 170, 171 each have a length of approximately 4',so that there is a plurality of such panels 170, 171 on each side of theremovable wall assembly 10. Thus, only the required number of "wired"panels 170 need be used for a particular configuration. Furthermore, ifa rearrangement of the utilities is required, all that is needed is toremove the wired panel 170 and disconnect the utilities and replace itwith a plain panel 171. Since all of the vertical beams 60 are fed withthe utilities, it can be easily seen that rearrangement is easy.

Furthermore, a modular panel may easily integrate other utilities, suchas a thermostat or a light switch, or any other control system with theappropriate feeding.

The modular panels 170, 171 are fastened to the removable wall assemblywith fastening means. Preferably, these means comprise a pair ofbrackets 173 on the top and the bottom of the panel. These brackets canbe sized to allow insertion and fixation of the panel into the openingafter the upper and lower mid-height runners are assembled. Such isbetter shown on FIG. 2.

The removable modular wall assembly of the present invention can thus beused to build any type of wall which is easily erected, includes utilityservices at regular intervals, and provides for adequate soundproofing.Thus, FIG. 1 shows a wall including a door 200 and a window 205, and thedetail of where the door frame is fastened is shown on FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 shows a wall assembly 10 including two vertical beams 60, butwhere the left end of the wall assembly 10 is secured to an existingwall 400. In such a case, the panels may be supported by a verticalrunner 410 of the same shape and size as the top runner 40, as shown onFIG. 8, which is fastened to the existing wall 400. Also in such cases,the bottom runner 90 adjacent the wall 400 can be supported by andL-shaped bracket 405 which itself is fastened to the wall 400.

Also shown on FIG. 6 is the various utility services cables whichvertically dispatch those services. Each of these cables can include anappropriate plug which can then be inserted into an appropriate socketin a junction box fastened to the infrastructure of the building or areawhere the removable wall assembly according to the invention is mounted.This decreases the number of wire-to-wire connections and increases thesafety and reliability of these connections.

Further, FIGS. 21, 22 and 23 show respectively how the present inventioncan be used to assemble a wall-wall 90° junction, a wall-door 90°junction or a wall-wall 45° junction.

Once the wall is assembled, it should be apparent to those skilled inthe art that baseboard mouldings 500 can be glued to the floor end ofthe wall 10 to hide the assembly, as shown on FIG. 2. Further. sincewalls of any length can be assembled and panels are available instandard sizes, the junction between two adjacent panels can be finishedwith a standard joint 505 (see FIG. 5).

Preferably, the runners and beams according to the invention are made ofgalvanized steel, and the panels are preferably plasterboard or gyprock.

Also preferably, each of the grooves of all of the runners are bentslightly inwardly to provide inward pressure so that each of the panelsis secured within each groove without mechanical means, as opposed tothe slightly outwardly flared groove shown on the accompanying drawings.

It should also be apparent to a person skilled in the art that the wholeweight of the assembly rests on the support means 70 and is downwardlytransferred from the top to the support means 70 and hence theadjustable foot of each vertical panel, by virtue of the stacking of theelements one on top of the other. This increases the efficiency of thecomb-like structure on the bottom of the adjustable foot, since all theweight is concentrated there. Therefore, this assembly provides forexcellent lateral stability.

Furthermore, it will be also seen that a wall erected according to thepresent invention can be easily taken down or disassembled with aminimum of effort. Indeed, since there are few mechanical fasteners,should a reorganization of the space be required, the wall can bedisassembled, starting from the ceiling end, and the components may bereused for a new configuration. In such a case it is necessary only torepaint the new assembly once assembled.

It should also be noted that the runners described in the presentinvention do not necessarily need to be U-shaped, as long as propergrooves or retaining means are provided for all of the runners toproperly provide transverse support for the panels used therein.

Although the present invention has been explained hereinabove by way ofa preferred embodiment thereof, it should be pointed out that anymodifications to this preferred embodiment within the scope of theappended claims is not deemed to alter or change the nature and scope ofthe present invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A removable modular wall assembly for mountingbetween a ceiling and a floor which are separated by a distance defininga height, said wall assembly having two opposite sides and comprising:anelongated top runner having a longitudinal axis, two opposite sides, atop surface, a bottom surface and a generally inverted U-shapedcross-section, said top runner having a groove parallel to saidlongitudinal axis on each opposite side opening towards the bottom, saidtop runner being compatible with the ceiling for attachment thereto, atleast two vertical beams each having an adjustable foot at the bottomthereof, each of said vertical beams having a plurality of longitudinalpartitions for vertical dispatching of utility services, each of saidvertical beams having a length corresponding generally to the height ofsaid ceiling; each of said beams being provided with support meansextending parallel to the longitudinal axis of said top runner at thebottom of the vertical beams; means for extending each said adjustablefoot to account for variations in the height of the ceiling; a bottomrunner having two opposite sides, two opposite ends, a top surface, abottom surface, a generally U-shaped cross-section and a groove parallelto the longitudinal axis of the top runner on each opposite sidedefining an opening on the top surface thereof, said bottom runner beinginserted between two adjacent vertical beams, each end of said bottomrunner resting on a corresponding one of said support means; a firstpair of panels having a horizontal longitudinal axis, each of saidpanels having a bottom longitudinal edge resting in one of said groovesof said bottom runner and a top longitudinal edge; lower and uppermid-height runners, said mid-height runners being mirror images of eachother along a longitudinal axis, said mid-height runners being in thesame shape and form as said bottom runner, said mid-height runners beingvertically separated by a generally I-shaped beam defining an openingtherebetween on each opposite side of said wall assembly, said lowermid-height runner having a groove on each opposite side opening towardsthe bottom and adapted to receive the top edge of the correspondingpanel of said first pair of panels, each of said mid-height runnersbeing inserted between two adjacent vertical beams and insertedtherebetween; a second pair of panels having a horizontal longitudinalaxis, said second pair of panels having a bottom longitudinal edgeresting in a respective one of said grooves of said upper mid-heightrunner, said second pair of panels also having a top longitudinal edgeinserted in a respective one of said grooves of said top runner; and atleast one modular panel removably covering said opening defined by saidI-shaped beams on each opposite side for horizontally dispatching saidutility services.
 2. A removable modular wall assembly according toclaim 1, wherein:said vertical post partitions each carry a utilityservice so that said utility services can be fed to said openingsbetween said mid-height runners.
 3. A removable modular wall assemblyaccording to claim 1, wherein said at least one modular panel includespre-wiring for at least one utility service, and wherein said pre-wiringcan be operatively connected to an appropriate socket mounted on avertical beam.
 4. A removable modular wall assembly according to claim1, wherein:an insulator is inserted between each pair of panels toprovide adequate soundproofing.
 5. A removable modular wall assemblyaccording to claim 1, wherein:each of said grooves of each of saidrunners is bent inwardly to provide inward pressure so that each of saidpanels is secured within each groove without mechanical means.
 6. Aremovable modular wall assembly according to claim 1, wherein:saidassembly provides for downward accumulation of force so that saidassembly is secured to a floor through the accumulated weight of each ofthe components resting on each of said support means.
 7. A removablemodular wall assembly according to claim 1, in combination with aplurality of said removable modular wall assemblies arranged end to endto form a complete wall.
 8. A removable modular wall assembly accordingto claim 1, further comprising a door and a door frame integrated withsaid removable modular wall assembly.
 9. A removable modular wallassembly according to claim 1, further comprising a window integratedwith said removable modular wall assembly.
 10. A removable modular wallassembly according to claim 1, wherein said I-shaped beam has a heightof approximately 8 inches.
 11. A removable modular wall assembly formounting between a ceiling and a floor which are separated by a distancedefining a height, said wall assembly having two opposite sides andcomprising:an elongated top runner having a longitudinal axis, twoopposite sides, a top surface, a bottom surface and a generally invertedU-shaped cross-section, said top runner having a groove parallel to saidlongitudinal axis on each opposite side opening towards the bottom, saidtop runner being compatible with the ceiling for attachment thereto, atleast two vertical beams each having an adjustable foot at the bottomthereof, each of said vertical beams having a plurality of longitudinalpartitions for vertical dispatching of utility services. each of saidvertical beams having a length corresponding generally to the height ofsaid ceiling; each of said beams being provided with support meansextending parallel to the longitudinal axis of said top runner at thebottom of the vertical beams; means for extending each said adjustablefoot to account for variations in the height between the floor and ofthe ceiling; a bottom runner having two opposite sides, two oppositeends, a top surface, a bottom surface, a generally U-shapedcross-section and a groove parallel to the longitudinal axis of the toprunner on each opposite side defining an opening on the top surfacethereof, said bottom runner being inserted between two adjacent verticalbeams, each end of said bottom runner resting on a corresponding one ofsaid support means; a first pair of panels having a horizontallongitudinal axis, each of said panels having a bottom longitudinal edgeresting in one of said grooves of said bottom runner and a toplongitudinal edge; lower and upper mid-height runners, said mid-heightrunners being mirror images of each other along a longitudinal axis,said mid-height runners being in the same shape and form as said bottomrunner, said mid-height runners being vertically separated by agenerally I-shaped beam defining an opening therebetween on eachopposite side of said wall assembly, said lower mid-height runnershaving a groove on each opposite side opening towards the bottom thereofand adapted to receive the top edge of the corresponding panel of saidfirst pair of panels, each of said mid-height runners being insertedbetween two adjacent vertical beams and inserted therebetween; a secondpair of panels having a horizontal longitudinal axis, said second pairof panels having a bottom longitudinal edge resting in a respective oneof said grooves of said upper mid-height runner, said second pair ofpanels also having a top longitudinal edge; a horizontal runner havingthe same shape and size as the bottom runner or the mid-height runners,for receiving the top longitudinal edge of said second pair of panels; arectangular tube inserted over said horizontal runner and having a pairof downwardly projecting flanges to retain said rectangular tube inposition over said horizontal runner and also having an opening at thebottom thereof; a third pair of panels, having a longitudinal axis, abottom longitudinal edge resting on top of said horizontal runner oneach opposite side and a top longitudinal edge inserted in a respectiveone of said grooves of said top runner, the third pair of panels beingheld in position by means of an L-shaped bracket placed at regularintervals between said horizontal runner and said rectangular tube; saidthird pair of panels having a top longitudinal edge inserted in arespective one of said grooves of said top runner; wherein thejuxtaposition of said horizontal runner and said rectangular tube createa longitudinal opening for vertically dispatching utilities; and atleast one modular panel removably covering said opening defined by saidI-shaped beams on each opposite side for horizontally dispatching saidutility services.